TED Talk. It’s the best!” I’m a low-stakes betting person (not the billion-dollar-Powerball-jackpot type), but I’d put good money on the fact that you probably hear that a lot. The problem? You’re busy. You don’t have time to check out every single thing someone sends your way. You’ve got actual work to do and people to manage. If you’re going to make time for reading, watching, and listening, you want it to be relevant to what you’re currently working on. But, you don’t know whether something is worthwhile until you do it. With this in mind, I polled the rest of HubSpot’s content team, pulled some recommendations from an internal wiki page by my colleagues RebeccaCorlissand Andrew Rodwin, and did a little old-fashioned digging of my own to find the best blog posts, books, TED Talks, and podcast for every stage of your career. While I’ve tried to bucket each of my recommendations by a stage of your career, it’s by no means meant to be restrictive. Borrow recommendations from other categories — you never know what you might learn. Want to jump to a certain category? Click one of the following links: Fresh Face to Your Industry Developing Individual Contributor Mid-Level Manager Accomplished Individual Contributor Experienced Executive Fresh Face to Your Industry 1) Book: So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love, Cal Newport We’ve all heard the refrain, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” We’ve probably all questioned its validity, too. Cal Newport’s whole book is about questioning that saying. In his book, Cal uncovers how passion fuels hard work and success — and vice versa. For anyone who’s struggling to choose a career (or just wondering […]

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HOW YOU KNOW YOU NEED A TECH BREAK (AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT)

When we say “tech break,” what do we mean? In its simplest terms, a tech break can be summed up in a few words: switch off and walk away. But in many cases it’s one of the hardest things we can force ourselves to do. Why is that? Some would say the concern is that our technology has developed a culture of instant “reward mindset” within us. When you’re being super-productive at your computer or crushing the levels of a new video game, the last thing you want to do is hit pause and get up. You don’t dare; what about all that progress? It’s understandable we feel this way. Technology has conditioned us to feel this way. Nevertheless, here’s the truth—the human body and brain weren’t designed to consume technology like we do. As such, our health and wellness can be affected by it dramatically. But is that damage irreparable, and even altogether unavoidable? Contrary to popular belief, no it isn’t. We just need to be conscious of our behaviour with tech. Technology is a benefit to us all in so many ways. We’re connected, informed, and entertained like never before. Part of experiencing these benefits should be recognizing when technology becomes “too much” at one time. That’s when we need to understand the importance of taking a tech break. Tech Break Warning Signs If any of these things are happening or have happened to you, they’re signs you must take a tech break. To help you with prevention, recognize the symptoms so you can act before the problem gets unbearable. Next, make taking a series of mandatory tech breaks part of your daily ritual. Your body and brain will thank you. We’ve got suggestions for that as well. First, however, let’s take a look at some of the conditions that too much tech can give rise to. Computer […]

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5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE STEM LEARNINGFUN

STEM learning subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) are traditionally the subjects that kids take on without much enthusiasm. They’re not seen as being like art, gym, theater, and other fun electives that kids look forward to going through in school. Kids sometimes complain that the subjects in STEM learning are harder. In reality these more difficult subjects can be just as fun and exciting to learn. All teachers need do is take the right steps to make it more enjoyable. How to Make STEM Learning a Blast According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16 percent of kids go into these fields after graduation. So it’s imperative that lessons in STEM learning be fun and encouraging to students so they purse their scientific interests into their college years. Computer programming, engineering jobs, and mathematics are just some of the jobs that are STEM-based in the real world. Here are some ways that teachers can make STEM learning more fun for young students. Get Hands On Using real applications through experiments is a great way to get kids out of their chairs, and into getting their hands dirty. It’s fun to get hands-on in learning. Being interactive in a classroom setting is always more exciting than just sitting. Doing actual experiments relating to science will be much more memorable to students than anything they will read in a book about the subject. Take a Field Trip Getting out of the classroom to have students view real working STEM applications in the outside world will make a big impression on their brains. Whether you have a great local science museum in your area to visit, or can take a tour of a company that is based on STEM principles, this will give the students examples of how important this leaning is for the future. […]

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THE CRITICAL 21ST CENTURY SKILLS EVERY STUDENT NEEDS AND WHY

Editor’s note: This is a slightly updated reprint of one of our most popular articles on the 21st century skills students need for life beyond the classroom, and why they are important. Preparing a child for a world that doesn’t yet exist is not an easy task for any teacher. Step back and look at that picture from a broad perspective. What are the critical 21st century skills every student needs to survive and succeed in our world? What abilities and traits will serve them in a time that’s changing and developing so rapidly? No pupil in the history of education is quite like today’s modern learner. This is a complex, energetic, and tech-savvy individual. They want to be challenged and inspired in their learning. They want to collaborate and work with their peers. They want to incorporate the technology they love into thierclassroom experiences as much as they can. In short, they have just as high a set of expectations of their educators as their educators have of them. How Are Educators Responding? The New Zealand Ministry of Education defines five key capabilities for living and lifelong learning listed below: Thinking Using language, symbols, and text Managing self Relating to others Particitpating and contributing The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation created in 1968. It designs its programs to develop crucial intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills. Their IB Learner Profile suggests that students should be conditioned by their learning to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective The Common Core Standards Initiative also states primary areas of focus for their development. These are based on teaching our students the same kinds of 21st century skills. This excerpt is from their website: The standards were drafted by experts and teachers from across the country and are designed to ensure […]

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How You Know You Need a Tech Break (and What to Do About It)

When we say “tech break,” what do we mean? In its simplest terms, a tech break can be summed up in a few words: switch off and walk away. But in many cases it’s one of the hardest things we can force ourselves to do. Why is that? Some would say the concern is that our technology has developed a culture of instant “reward mindset” within us. When you’re being super-productive at your computer or crushing the levels of a new video game, the last thing you want to do is hit pause and get up. You don’t dare; what about all that progress? It’s understandable we feel this way. Technology has conditioned us to feel this way. Nevertheless, here’s the truth—the human body and brain weren’t designed to consume technology like we do. As such, our health and wellness can be affected by it dramatically. But is that damage irreparable, and even altogether unavoidable? Contrary to popular belief, no it isn’t. We just need to be conscious of our behaviour with tech. Technology is a benefit to us all in so many ways. We’re connected, informed, and entertained like never before. Part of experiencing these benefits should be recognizing when technology becomes “too much” at one time. That’s when we need to understand the importance of taking a tech break. Tech Break Warning Signs If any of these things are happening or have happened to you, they’re signs you must take a tech break. To help you with prevention, recognize the symptoms so you can act before the problem gets unbearable. Next, make taking a series of mandatory tech breaks part of your daily ritual. Your body and brain will thank you. We’ve got suggestions for that as well. First, however, let’s take a look at some of the conditions that too much tech can give rise to. Computer […]

5 Things You Can Do to Make STEM Learning Fun

STEM learning subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) are traditionally the subjects that kids take on without much enthusiasm. They’re not seen as being like art, gym, theater, and other fun electives that kids look forward to going through in school. Kids sometimes complain that the subjects in STEM learning are harder. In reality these more difficult subjects can be just as fun and exciting to learn. All teachers need do is take the right steps to make it more enjoyable. How to Make STEM Learning a Blast According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16 percent of kids go into these fields after graduation. So it’s imperative that lessons in STEM learning be fun and encouraging to students so they purse their scientific interests into their college years. Computer programming, engineering jobs, and mathematics are just some of the jobs that are STEM-based in the real world. Here are some ways that teachers can make STEM learning more fun for young students. Get Hands On Using real applications through experiments is a great way to get kids out of their chairs, and into getting their hands dirty. It’s fun to get hands-on in learning. Being interactive in a classroom setting is always more exciting than just sitting. Doing actual experiments relating to science will be much more memorable to students than anything they will read in a book about the subject. Take a Field Trip Getting out of the classroom to have students view real working STEM applications in the outside world will make a big impression on their brains. Whether you have a great local science museum in your area to visit, or can take a tour of a company that is based on STEM principles, this will give the students examples of how important this leaning is for the future. […]

The Critical 21st Century Skills Every Student Needs and Why

Editor’s note: This is a slightly updated reprint of one of our most popular articles on the 21st century skills students need for life beyond the classroom, and why they are important. Preparing a child for a world that doesn’t yet exist is not an easy task for any teacher. Step back and look at that picture from a broad perspective. What are the critical 21st century skills every student needs to survive and succeed in our world? What abilities and traits will serve them in a time that’s changing and developing so rapidly? No pupil in the history of education is quite like today’s modern learner. This is a complex, energetic, and tech-savvy individual. They want to be challenged and inspired in their learning. They want to collaborate and work with their peers. They want to incorporate the technology they love into thier classroom experiences as much as they can. In short, they have just as high a set of expectations of their educators as their educators have of them. How Are Educators Responding? The New Zealand Ministry of Education defines five key capabilities for living and lifelong learning listed below: Thinking Using language, symbols, and text Managing self Relating to others Particitpating and contributing The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation created in 1968. It designs its programs to develop crucial intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills. Their IB Learner Profile suggests that students should be conditioned by their learning to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective The Common Core Standards Initiative also states primary areas of focus for their development. These are based on teaching our students the same kinds of 21st century skills. This excerpt is from their website: The standards were drafted by experts and teachers from across the country and are designed to ensure […]

6 Powerful Methods for Making Student Connection

Teachers spend a lot of time with their students during the week. In this time, a teacher will take on the role of a guide, a counsellor, a facilitator, and sometimes a friend. Making student connection in meaningful and supportive ways is a priority for such student-teacher relationships to be successful and rewarding. We have 6 approaches for bridging the communication gap and bringing a sense of trust into your classroom. Use these strategies for making student connection and building lasting bonds with your kids. Keep them loving their learning all the time. 1. Take Five Little Minutes The Five-Minute rule is a terrific exercise for making student connection. It asks this fundamental question: How do you set the tone for your classroom in the first five minutes? Nicholas Provenzano features a great article about this on his blog The Nerdy Teacher. This is a popular concept in business. The notion is that practically no meeting gets going right off the bat. The first five minutes are devoted to creating a social atmosphere. People talk pleasantries—what they did or watched the night before, how they’re feeling, or something good they experienced recently. The idea is simply to relax everybody. People catch up, connect, and settle into the meeting in a better frame of mind. After the first five minutes, everyone feels like they belong there and like they’re part of a team. The same thing can work in the classroom. The first five minutes is when you can establish a connection with students that will make their learning experiences more enjoyable and productive for the day. Try spending a few minutes socializing and engaging with them. Before you know it, the five minutes are up and students are ready to get some serious work done. 2. Ask Students What They Think One of the things that defines an innovative educator […]

9 Top Tactics for Using Video Games in the Classroom

Why use video games in the classroom as teaching tools? Let’s be clear—we’ve come a long way from Asteroids and Space Invaders. The modern capabilities and designs of computer games provide endless opportunities for meaningful learning experiences. Used appropriately and effectively, technology can make a difference in students’ lives and affect their attitude toward school in a positive way. So ditch the old stereotypes and misconceptions you may have about the ill effects of video games. It’s time to reframe our perception in the light of using them to enhance learning. Gamification of classrooms isn’t a new idea. The components of gaming lend themselves well to self-directed learning, because it taps into the variables which inherently motivate a desire for progress. In fact, using a set of constructs called game mechanics, one could conceivably create situations that enhance learning by incorporating the strategies found in today’s video games. Whether you choose to “gamify” your physical classroom all the way or only use video games as an occasional learning enhancement, making learning fun will positively reinforce students’ experiences of school. Here are some suggestions on how to successfully use video games in the classroom. 1. Consider your set up. What have you got—a desktop computer lab with one station per student? Only a few computers, or even one for a group of students? Portable laptops for all? Tablets? BYOD? If your workstations are limited, you’ll have to consider a strategy that allows for dividing the class into groups that alternate between computer use and non-computer work. This is difficult, but it can be done with careful planning. If necessary, you can pair students together rather than having one on a computer. It’s best to have two so they can collaborate and learn together. There is more of a challenge with BYOB setups, as you try to navigate many different platforms and hardware. Your game […]

Giving Student Feedback: 7 Best Practices for Success

Part of being an educator is having the skills to make hard concepts easier to understand, and the ability to make any student feel accomplished no matter how much they’re struggling. It’s all part of giving student feedback. Proper feedback should enable and inspire. It should make someone feel good about where they are, and get them excited about where they can go. These strategies for helping you boost your student feedback mojo could be things that you already practice with your students. If so, then they’re merely listed here as refreshers and possibly new takes on old ideas. That said, you may also discover a tip here that you can use in your own one-on-one feedback conversations with students. If so, all the better. 7 Keys to Giving Student Feedback 1. Make the student feel safe Our students want us to know that they need to feel protected and supported in their learning environments. They want to do well and to succeed, and sometimes you’ll find a student being overly hard on themselves when they make mistakes or didn’t do something as well as they’d hoped. Whatever the reasons for this may be, you’re in the perfect position to provide comfort and solid reassurance that your classroom is not a place of judgement, but one of empowerment. The student may need to know that they aren’t in trouble, and may need guidance in realizing that mistakes are opportunities in disguise. This is the perfect time to promote the concept of useful failure among students. 2. Stress teamwork When giving student feedback, let them know you’re working on this together, and that you’re there until you both figure it out or get it right. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to realize they’re not alone in order to find a renewed interest in taking up the next step of the […]

Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts: The Definitive Guide [Infographic]

If you’re an avid Gmial user, then Gmail keyboard shortcuts come in handy for busy times. Email is still one of the most popular ways to communicate for business and pleasure. It pays to know how to maximize your time with it. Inboxes can get out of hand swiftly, and once that happens they’re hard to dig through. That’s why Aleksander Tsatskin of Visualeks fashioned this amazingly in-depth infographic featuring all the Gmail keyboard shortcuts you could imagine. It was only a little over a decade ago that Gmail was launched. It left every other free Webmail service behind. Today over 400 million people use the Gmail program, and that number appears to be growing all the time. A recent article in PR Daily had this to say about how Gmail’s presence is growing: “Last year, TechCrunch reported that the email service is used by “government agencies in 45 states and 66 of the top 100 universities in the U.S. have already gone Google.” More than five million businesses have also ‘gone Google.’ “ Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts: Making Life Easier It’s always a treat to be able to share informative resources like this one. How many of these Gmail keyboard shortcuts do you use already? Chances are some will be familiar to you. Here’s hoping you discover more that will make your experience with Gmail even more friendly. Enjoy this Gmail keyboard shortcuts infographic. Be sure to share it with anyone you think may find it useful!

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